Crypto: Stablecoins Move $400 Million Per Hour

A dollar available at any time. Stablecoins recorded $891 billion in adjusted transfers in the third quarter of 2026, averaging over $400 million per hour, according to a study by Coinbase and The Block Pro Research. The report, titled "The Always-On Dollar", examines their use for international payments, corporate treasury, and automated exchanges between artificial intelligence agents.

Key Points

• The adjusted quarterly volume of stablecoin transfers has quadrupled since the beginning of 2023.
• Over the twelve months ending July 31, 73% of the analyzed volume circulated outside of U.S. banking hours.
• The report estimates that sending $200 in USDC on Base costs about 86% less than the traditional services used for comparison.

Stablecoins Meet Demand for Continuous Payments

The data from the report highlights the interest in infrastructure accessible regardless of banking hours. 73% of the filtered transfer volume circulated outside U.S. banking hours during the studied period. This proportion pertains to the amounts transferred, not the number of transactions.

For a business, faster settlement can reduce payment delays to suppliers and liquidity tied up in pre-funded accounts. However, the availability of the blockchain does not guarantee that the entire chain is available: converting tokens to local currency also depends on the providers and banking circuits used.

The study also presents an advantage for international money transfers. According to its comparison, transferring $200 in USDC on Base costs about 86% less than through the traditional services used. However, the savings depend on the payment route and the entry, conversion, and exit fees.

Volumes are progressing in parallel. They increased from $216 billion in the first quarter of 2023 to $891 billion in the third quarter of 2026, after adjustments to reduce certain artificial or repetitive activities. This filtering does not mean that every transfer corresponds to a purchase of goods or services.

With constant growth, the report estimates that this volume could approach $1.5 trillion per quarter by the end of 2027. Coinbase and The Block share their latest study on stablecoins -- Source: Account X

Banks and AI Agents Expand Potential Uses

According to the study, seven of the ten largest U.S. banks have tested stablecoins or tokenized deposits for their settlements. The other three have announced projects. However, these experiments focus on distinct instruments and do not all constitute commercially deployed services at scale.

The report also lists 293 million addresses holding stablecoins. This figure measures their presence on blockchains, without corresponding to that many users: one person can control multiple addresses, and an intermediary can hold funds for many clients.

The authors then identify AI agents as a potential outlet. These software can purchase data, calls for IT services, or computing power on a unit basis. Stablecoins could facilitate these small automated payments.

Finally, the report models a scenario in which 80% of international transactions would use these infrastructures. It then estimates the net annual gain for global GDP at $155 billion. This result depends on the assumptions made and does not represent a benefit already observed.

The study thus highlights concrete uses beyond crypto trading. Their economic interest depends on the total cost of payment, the reliability of intermediaries and the ease of using the received funds.

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online promotions, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. The availability of WEEX services, products, and related events may vary by region. You are responsible for ensuring that your participation is in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.